TARBELL, Gladys N., 91, September 22, 2015. Services to be held today, Wednesday, September 30 at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Houlton, at 10:00 a.m, with a time offellowship following the service. Arrangements by Dunn Funeral Home, Houlton.
HOULTON – Gladys Noteboom Tarbell, 91, passed away Sept. 22, 2015 peacefully at a local healthcare facility. She was born Feb. 10, 1924 at Orange City, Iowa, the daughter of Gerrit and Lyda (Schalekamp) Noteboom. Gladys had one older sister, Marian Elizabeth. Gladys began singing at an early age and at the age of 6 started piano lessons, and at the age of 12, she started voice lessons. She performed in choirs, school groups and entered state and national competitions. She and her sister, Marian were both active in the Sioux City, Iowa Symphony. Following high school, Gladys continued to study voice and music at the University of Iowa where she graduated in 1944. After teaching a year, Gladys married Dr. Ira Tarbell, a graduate of the University of Iowa dental school. They spent the next nearly 60 years in Houlton, Maine, Ira’s home state. Gladys started as the music director at Ricker Classical Institute, later known as Ricker College, from 1949 to 1961. From there she spent the next 16 years as the music supervisor at SAD 29 and was featured in a 30 minute TV special on WABI in 1969. Her years teaching at Houlton High School have been what truly defined her and it is that time that people remember her most. Gladys directed close to 90 students in the school choir and was respected and admired by many. In 1977, she was honored at the All State Music Festival with the Music Educator of the Year Award. From 1978 to 1981 Gladys worked at SAD 70 and also taught at the University of Maine Presque Isle’s Houlton Center until 1990. After retiring, Gladys adjudicated All State auditions, state solos and ensemble festivals and was guest conductor at district festivals. Gladys was a fun loving, vivacious, classy lady who loved to play golf and entertain friends and family. She was devoted wife and school teacher. She will be truly missed by her friends and family. We were blessed to have her in our lives. Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Ira Tarbell; her parents, and her sister, Marian Elizabeth Korver. She is survived by her nieces, Mary Louise Vander Wel of Orange City, Iowa, Marian Kay Myers of Leawood, Kansas; and nephew, Robert James Korver of Venice, California. Funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30 at the Church of the Good Shepherd with Rev. Jessie Drysdale officiating. A time of fellowship and refreshments will be held immediately following the memorial service. Interment will be in the Tarbell Cemetery, Merrill. Gifts may be made in Gladys’ memory payable to the charity of one’s choice, c/o Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park Street, Houlton, 04730. Online condolences and guest book: dunnfuneral.com.
